GDHQNHL15_2pg-Tampa Bay Lightning 2

NJ Devils Gameday HQ

Their best players play at both
ends of the rink
Eric Brewer is a team leader but
he saw his minutes drop drastically
to 17:33 per game. Now in his 16th
season in the league, the veteran will
continue to take a backseat to his
younger teammates and focus on his
role as an alternate captain.
While Victor Hedman proved
that he can chip in on offense, he did
his best work in the defensive end.
At 6-6 he has the size to wreak havoc
in front of the net, and he’s continued to prove that he’s in the conversation
of the brightest young defenseman in the league.
He could see time on the ice paired with fellow Swede Anton Stralman,
who was signed in the offseason. Stralman was a key part of the New York
Rangers run to the Stanley Cup final that included a game saving clearance
in the crease during game four.
Matt Carle has been one of the most consistent defenseman in the
league. His disciplined brand of defense has appeared in every single game
over the last four seasons and his 22:11 of average ice time was second on the
team to Hedman.
The forwards will also do their part in the defensive end. Although their
offensive numbers left the biggest mark, both Johnson and Palat are twoway
forwards that received votes for the Selke Trophy. And new additions
Brian Boyle and Brenden Morrow are physical forwards that will lend an
edge to the Lightning.
Goaltending
Last season was a coming out party for Ben Bishop. After a few
stops around the league, he put in a word class performance in his first
real opportunity as the number one goalie. His 2.23 GAA and .924 save
percentage were rewarded by being named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy
and top-10 finish in the MVP race.
The 27-year old American has a huge presence in the net at 6-7 and
he signed a relatively team friendly two-year contract extension in the
offseason that will make Bishop an interesting asset if Russian goaltending
prospect Andrey Vasilevskiy lives up to his potential. Vasilevskiy is
considered the best goalie prospect in the world by some scouts.
The Lightning were without a reliable backup last season, and they
brought in veteran Evgeni Nabokov in free agency. Nabokov has had elite
seasons in the past and was reliable in his time with the New York Islanders,
but at this point in his career he’s well suited for a backup role.
Power Play
Tampa Bay converted just 18.5 percent of their power play chances,
which ranked 13th in the NHL, but a healthy Stamkos will change that. In
just 37 games, Stamkos scored nine power-play goals and he’s had as many
as 24 in a single season. He’s the clear leader of the unit and coach Jon
Cooper should have plenty of options on who to place around him.
Filppula is the leading returning point scorer on the power play
with six goals and 14 assists. One of the few players that remains from
the Lightning’s Stanley Cup championship team, Filppula put his best
career numbers on the power play and had never averaged more
minutes per game.
Johnson and Palat are sure to contribute once again. They combined
for 21 power-play points in their rookie seasons, and should see even more
time on the unit.
On the blue line, Hedman carried the load last season but he’ll get
some additional help from Jason Garrison. A big slapshot helped Garrison
amass 17 power-play points
for Vancouver last season, and
he’s just a few years removed
from scoring nine power-play
goals for Florida.
Penalty Kill
The Lightning struggled even
more on the penalty kill than
the power-play. They finished
in the bottom third of the league
by killing off just 80.7 percent
of their penalties. It’s not a new
problem, as the team has not
touched an 81% kill rate since 2010-11.
Victor Hedman, Ben Bishop
Steve Audette/NHL/Getty Images
A full season with Callahan on the roster will make a big difference. He
prides himself on doing the dirt work, and will undoubtedly rally the team
around him with his play.
It should be no surprise that the wonder twins, Palat and Johnson, make
an impact on the penalty kill, too. Both guys played big man down minutes
and managed to score ten shorthanded points, including a league leading
five shorthanded goals by Johnson.
The additions of Boyle and Morrow gives the Lightning two more
physical forwards with veteran leadership skills, and they could see a much
improved penalty kill that will also see a rotation with young Richard Panik.
Prediction
With a healthy Stamkos and some of the best young talent in
the league, the Tampa Bay Lightning are set to compete for the
foreseeable future. They are one of the best teams in the East but
will struggle to catch up with the Boston Bruins. Unfortunately,
their consolation prize is likely another first round meeting with the
Montreal Canadiens.
Scoreboard
2013-14 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10
PLAYOFF FINISH Conf QF DNQ DNQ Conf Finals DNQ
REGULAR SEASON 46-27-9 18-26-4 38-36-8 46-25-11 34-36-12
POINT TOTAL 101 40 84 103 20
SHOOTOUT RECORD 8-6 1-3 3-3 6-6 4-7
GOALS SCORED 240 148 235 247 217
GOALS ALLOWED 215 150 281 240 260
POWER-PLAY % 18.5 19.0 15.2 20.5 19.3
PENALTY KILL % 80.7 80.6 79.3 83.8 80.1